Teach me, fearless leaders!

Each year at this time, our family gets together to talk about things we are thankful for. Things like, having a home to live in, being healthy, having family close by, doctors and therapists for Logan, our support system.

Then we talk about others. People that are perhaps not doing as well as we are, in a variety of different ways. By doing this, we raise awareness within our beloved monsters. We teach compassion in a hands on manner. We try to instill in them a sense of gratitude, and the desire to be of service to others. 

In keeping with that thought this week, I began to think of others I could personally help. I cannot volunteer at a food bank, a nursing home, or a hospital because I cannot leave Logan. I cannot hand out wads of cash (as much as I dearly want to) to any number of truly deserving charities. But I CAN research causes and charities I truly believe in, and donate to one that I support.

This year, I find military families in my thoughts with regularity. Specifically, those military families with special needs kids. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to be consistent with therapies, medications, and a thousand other things, when moving from one place to another, and coping without a spouse and parent for extended periods of time. Regular routines which are so imperative to so many special kids are interrupted with each and every move.

There are things in life I feel STRONGLY about. One of them is the treatment of our nation's military. If someone has served our country, I feel this should earn them favors for life.  There should NEVER be a reason for a veteran to be homeless, a military family to rely on food stamps, a special needs child of someone in our armed forces being unable to get appropriate therapy or care through the military health care system. As far as I'm concerned, these are real, true blue, dyed in the wool heroes.  If they are/were in any branch of our armed forces, they are heroes. They deserve everything this country has to offer in the way of support, whether it be monetary, medical, emotional, physical, or what have you.

These families have enough stress in day to day life without worrying about how to find civilian sources for their special needs kids, over and over again, because their military health care won't provide it. These children cope with the stress of deployed mothers and fathers, multiple moves, and new surroundings. Military kids shouldn't be made to endure a disability because their parents cannot afford to pay out of pocket for therapy. 

Last night when I read this blog post I was shocked, to say the least. So, I am asking for your help to find out something REALLY important. I want to find a charity which will benefit military families with special needs kids. I'm not having a whole lot of success on my own. But, if there is anything that is near and dear to my heart, it is watching Logan and seeing how much progress he has made. He has accomplished SO much with therapy, diet restrictions, and proper medical care. His case coordinators have been so on top of things, I have to credit them with a great deal of his success. I want every mother to have these same things. While I am NOT guaranteeing success or amazing results, I cannot begin to tell you how important early intervention, and continuing therapy are. Our military's special kids NEED this.

Please comment or email me directly at benandjerryluvr@yahoo.com if you know of such a charity that is helping our military, their families, and their special kids with these things which we know are so vital.